But until those eggheads in the genetics labs make some advances, I’ll stick with Ed as the best bartender around. As the brains and brawn behind Cape Canaveral’s Tip A Few Tavern, Ed embodies all the qualities of the quintessential barkeep. He’s friendly, generous, courteous, adept, hilarious, chivalrous, and imposing enough to make you think twice about starting any trouble. There’s a kind of timeless quality to Ed; you can picture him serving wine to Roman soldiers in clay vessels or serving Spencer Tracy in some smoky speakeasy.

But Ed is also just as much a man of today, as evinced by the way he runs Tip A Few, a fabulous watering hole in its own right, but even more well known for the food he cooks there. Why, didn’t Florida Today call his burgers some of the 10 best in the county in a recent poll? Well, you heard it from me first: They did.

So how does a guy run a successful business, tend bar, cook award-winning food and still find the time to relax and enjoy himself? Don’t ask Ed, because he’s too busy. If I ever hit the jackpot, I’m sending Ed to his beloved Italy for a well deserved vacation. Here’s to you, Ed. Salute!

What’s your favorite thing about bartending?

Meeting a variety of interesting people.

What’s your least favorite thing about it?

Obnoxious drunk people.

What quality do you most admire in a customer?

Class.

What kind of music do you enjoy listening to whilst tending bar?

Classic Rock or Jazz.

If you could serve any celebrity, living or dead, whom would you serve and what would you serve them?

Guys, act properly when women are present — that goes for all public places. We need to be more respectful. Alcohol doesn’t give you a ticket to be rude. Just be classy enough to know when to watch your mouth.

See Ed at the full liquor-equipped, smoker-friendly Tip A Few Tavern, located at 6890 N. Atlantic Avenue in Cape Canaveral. Bar hours are Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Tip A Few’s kitchen is open every day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., serving an incredible range of fresh, made-to-order food. As the recipient of the “Best of Brevard” Best Burger in Brevard (Top 10 Finalist), you can be sure you’ll find great examples: 1/4 and 1/2-lb. char-grilled butcher-ground sirloin on a kaiser bun. Choose from the cheddar burger, mushroom Swiss, Cajun Bleu, bacon cheddar, and a bacon mushroom Swiss. You’ll also find excellent wings in several styles, New York-style pizzas, marinated char-grilled chicken sandwiches, and chicken combos, huge fresh salads, fabulous appetizers (like cheddar fries, jalapeno poppers, beer-battered onion rings, and Buffalo shrimp), and some of the best sides in town — don’t leave without trying Ed’s Red Bliss potato salad. Call ahead to have your orders ready, or to have something delivered within a mile radius. In addition to serving a great choice of domestics and imports, Tip A Few has a full range of alcohol and several varieties of wine. Every night, service industry people enjoy discounts on all drinks from 10 p.m. to close. Regular Happy Hour is from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Seniors (60+) can sign up for a special savings card with which they can enjoy happy hour prices anytime, every day from open to close. Like football? Catch the NFL ticket there throughout the season on over 22 TVs (4 big screens). Sunday games are shown with a $12 all-you-can-eat buffet from Noon till 6 p.m. — expect salads, pizza, shrimp, wings, and many other items. Tip A Few is a family-friendly establishment. Call Ed for catering information as well or other details — (321) 243-8477.